Hovawart vs Russian Spaniel vs Smooth Fox Terrier – Which one is a better dog breed for you?
"Find similarities and differences between Hovawart vs Russian Spaniel vs Smooth Fox Terrier"
Compare Hovawart and Russian Spaniel. Which is better: Hovawart or Russian Spaniel or Smooth Fox Terrier?
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| Name | Hovawart | Russian Spaniel | Smooth Fox Terrier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Origins |  Germany |  Russia |  England |
| Group | Guard Dogs | Hunting Dogs | Hunting Dogs |
| Popularity Rank | 375 | 309 | 122 |
| Reviews | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Rate |
| Other Names | Hovie | Rosyjski Spaniel | Fox Terrier, Foxie, SFT, Smooth Fox Terrier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed Type | Purebred | Cross Breed | Purebred |
| AKC Group | Not recognized by the American Kennel Club. | Not recognized by the American Kennel Club. | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885 as a Terrier breed. |
| FCI Group | Recognized by FCI in the Pinscher and Schnauzer - Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattledogs group, in the Molossian type section. | Not recognized by FCI. | Not recognized by FCI. |
| Breed Recognition |
American Canine Registry America's Pet Registry Continental Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Foundation Stock Service Kennel Club of Great Britain National Kennel Club North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. | No set |
American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Canadian Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club Club Espanol De Terriers |
| Price | $1000-$1200 | $1200-$1500 | $700-$1200 |
General Appearance - Hovawart vs Russian Spaniel vs Smooth Fox Terrier
| Size |
Large Giant | Small | Small |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 55 - 90 pounds (25 - 51 kg) | Male: 20–35 pounds (9–16 kg), Female:20–35 pounds (9–16 kg) | Male: 15-20 pounds (7-9 kg), Female: 13-18 pounds (6-8 kg) |
| Avg. Weight | 55 - 90 pounds (25 - 51 kg) | Male: 20–35 lbs (9.1–15.9 kg), Female: 20–35 lbs (9.1–15.9 kg) | Male: 17.5 pounds (8 kg), Female: 15.5 pounds (7 kg) |
| Height | 23 - 28 inches (58 - 70 cm) | Male: 15–17.75 inches (38.1–45.1 cm), Female: 15–17.75 inches (38.1–45.1 cm) | Male: 14-16 inches (36-41 cm), Female: 13-15 inches (33-38 cm) |
| Avg. Height | 23 - 28 inches (58 - 70 cm) | Male: 15–17.75 inches (38.1–45.1 cm), Female: 15–17.75 inches (38.1–45.1 cm) | Male: 15 inches (38.5 cm), Female: 14 inches (35.5 cm) |
Hair & Care - Hovawart vs Russian Spaniel vs Smooth Fox Terrier
| Coat | Silky |
Feathered Tight Silky Wavy |
Smooth Double |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colors |
Golden Blonde Black |
White Brown Red Tricolor Black |
Black Black & Tan Brown Red White |
| Grooming | Easy to groom: The Hovawart doesn't require a lot of grooming. | Easy to groom: The Russian Spaniel doesn't require a lot of grooming. | Easy to groom: The Smooth Fox Terrier doesn't require a lot of grooming. |
| Shedding Level | Hovawarts shed moderately. | Russian Spaniels shed moderately. | Smooth Fox Terriers shed moderately. |
Characteristics - Hovawart vs Russian Spaniel vs Smooth Fox Terrier
| Temperament |
Watchful Reserved Devoted Outright Tempered Active |
Affectionate Devoted Good-natured Amiable Friendly Reliable |
Active Alert Intelligent Affectionate Fearless Playful |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intelligent Rank | Average: Hovawart's has average obedience intelligence. | Average: Russian Spaniel's has average obedience intelligence. | Average: Smooth Fox Terrier's has average obedience intelligence. |
| Trainability | Hovawarts are easy to train. | Russian Spaniels are quite easy to train. | Smooth Fox Terriers are easy to train. |
| Playfulness | Hovawarts, like any other dog breed, like playing. | Russian Spaniels, like any other dog breed, like playing. | The Smooth Fox Terrier is a highly playful breed. |
| Sensitivity Level | Hovawarts have an average emotional level and are not the most sensitive dog breed. | Russian Spaniels don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household and frequent guest visits. | Smooth Fox Terriers have an average emotional level and are not the most sensitive dog breed. |
| Affection Level | Hovawarts are highly affectionate dogs. | Russian Spaniels are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. | Smooth Fox Terriers are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. |
| Social Needs | Hovawarts are a social breed. | Russian Spaniels are a social breed. | Smooth Fox Terriers need a lot of social interaction. |
| Barking | Low to Average: The Hovawart rarely barks. | Average: The Russian Spaniel barks occasionally. | Average: The Smooth Fox Terrier barks occasionally. |
| Watchdog Ability | Hovawarts are one of the best watchdogs. | Russian Spaniels are average watchdogs. | Smooth Fox Terriers are average watchdogs. |
| Territorial | Hovawarts are extremely protective guard dogs. | Russian Spaniels are not the best to protect their territory. | Smooth Fox Terriers strongly protect their territory. |
| Biting Potential |
Low The Hovawart has a low chance of biting somebody. |
Low The Russian Spaniel has a low chance of biting somebody. |
Low The Smooth Fox Terrier has a low chance of biting somebody. |
| Mouthiness | Hovawarts have a low tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. | Russian Spaniels have an average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. | Smooth Fox Terriers have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. |
| Impulse to Wander or Roam | Hovawarts tend to escape less than other breeds. | Wanderlust potential of the Russian Spaniel is strong enough to escape from home. | Smooth Fox Terriers have high wanderlust potential, which means that this breed has a strong desire for exploring the world. |
| Prey Drive | Hovawarts have an average prey drive, which means that they don't have a high impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals, but it might happen. | Russian Spaniels have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. | Smooth Fox Terriers have a high impulse to chase and catch something. |
| Apartment Friendly | Hovawarts are not apartment-friendly dogs. | Russian Spaniels are apartment-friendly dogs. | Smooth Fox Terriers are not the best choice for an apartment lifestyle, but they don't mind being inside if you walk them several times every day. |
| Adaptability | Hovawarts adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments. | Russian Spaniels adapt well to lifestyle changes and different living environments. | Smooth Fox Terriers adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments. |
| Tolerates Being Left Alone | Hovawarts do best when a family member is at home during the day or if their workplace is dog-friendly so they can take the dog at work. | Russian Spaniels do best when a family member is at home during the day or if their workplace is dog-friendly so they can take the dog at work. | Smooth Fox Terriers tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them. |
| Fighting Dog |
Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog. |
Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog. |
Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog. |
Good With - Hovawart vs Russian Spaniel vs Smooth Fox Terrier
| Stranger Friendly | Hovawarts are not the most stranger friendly dogs. | Russian Spaniels are average friendly towards strangers. | Smooth Fox Terriers are not the most stranger friendly dogs. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child Friendly | Hovawarts are kid-friendly dogs. | Russian Spaniels are kid-friendly dogs. | Smooth Fox Terriers are very kid-friendly dogs. |
| Cat Friendly | Hovawarts are average friendly towards cats. | Russian Spaniels are average friendly towards cats. | Smooth Fox Terriers are not cat-friendly dogs. |
| Dog Friendly | Hovawarts are dog-friendly dogs. | Russian Spaniels are average friendly towards other dogs. | Smooth Fox Terriers are not the most dog-friendly dogs. |
| Office Friendly |
No Hovawart is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
No Russian Spaniel is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
No Smooth Fox Terrier is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
| Senior Citizens Friendly | Hovawarts are usually recommended for elderly people. | Russian Spaniels are usually recommended for elderly people. | Smooth Fox Terriers are one of the best breeds for elderly people. |
| Pet Friendly | Hovawarts are generally with other pets. | Russian Spaniels are generally with other pets. | Smooth Fox Terriers do best when they’re the only pet at the family. |
| Good For First Time Owners |
Yes Hovawarts are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality. |
No Russian Spaniels are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality. |
Yes Smooth Fox Terriers are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality. |
| Service Dog |
Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. |
Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. |
Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. |
| Therapy Dog |
Not really This breed generally not used as a therapy dog. |
Not really This breed generally not used as a therapy dog. |
Not really This breed generally not used as a therapy dog. |
| Detection Dog or Sniffer Dog |
Not really A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones. |
Not really A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones. |
Not really A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones. |
| Search and Rescue Dog (SAR) |
Not really The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people. |
Not really The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people. |
Not really The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people. |
| Boat Dog |
Not really Hovawart breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. |
Not really Russian Spaniel breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. |
Not really Smooth Fox Terrier breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. |
| Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog |
Yes A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. |
Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. |
Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. |
Health Factors - Hovawart vs Russian Spaniel vs Smooth Fox Terrier
| Health Issues | The Hovawart is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly. | Russian Spaniels tend to have more and frequent health issues than other breeds. | The Smooth Fox Terrier is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health Problems |
Hip Dysplasia Underactive Thyroid | No set |
Cataracts Deafness Distichiasis Legg-perthes Disease Lens Luxation Patellar Luxation |
| Life Expectancy | 10-14 years | 14-16 years | 13-15 years |
| Hypoallergenic | No | No | No |
| Energy Level | Hovawarts have an average energy level, so if you live a semi-active life, this breed can be a good choice for you. | Russian Spaniels have an average energy level, so if you live a semi-active life, this breed can be a good choice for you. | Smooth Fox Terriers are high energy dogs. |
| Exercise Need | Hovawarts have an average exercise need. | Russian Spaniels have an average exercise need. | Smooth Fox Terriers need a lot of exercises. |
| Sleeping Need | Hovawarts sleep 12-14 hours a day as an average dog and they're not considered as a lazy breed. | Russian Spaniels sleep 12-14 hours a day as an average dog and they're not considered as a lazy breed. | Smooth Fox Terriers don't need too much sleep. |
| Avg. daily food consumption | 3 to 4 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. | 1 to 1.5 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. | 1 to 2 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. |
| Weight Gain Potential | Average. | High: The Russian Spaniel breed has a strong tendency to overweight. | Low to Average. |
| Weather & Climate | Tolerates warm and cold weather. |
Prefers average to cold weather conditions The Russian Spaniel can adapt to well to cold weather conditions, some dogs even can be a good mountain dog. | Tolerates warm and cold weather. |
| Stinkiness |
Medium The Hovawart has an average chance of bad smell. |
Medium The Russian Spaniel has an average chance of bad smell. |
Medium The Smooth Fox Terrier has an average chance of bad smell. |
| Drooling tendency | The Hovawart is a perfect example for low drooling tendency. | The Russian Spaniel is a perfect example for very low drooling tendency. | The Smooth Fox Terrier is a perfect example for very low drooling tendency. |
Reproducibility - Hovawart vs Russian Spaniel vs Smooth Fox Terrier
| Gestation Length | 60-64 days | 60-64 days | 60-64 days |
|---|---|---|---|
| How often can the have a litter? |
Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. |
Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. |
Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. |
| Litter Size | 6-8 puppies | 4-6 puppies | 3-6 puppies |
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